"This exceptional car is far from being a nostalgic glimpse backwards. It is a determined step into the future. From the very start, we conceived this amazing car with an electric-only driveline," said Daimler Chairman Dieter Zetsche.

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG goes on sale in most markets, including the United States, in the spring of 2010. In Europe, the retail price will be the equivalent of about $260,000, including 19 percent Value Added Tax. The timing is less clear for the battery powered version.

The conventionally powered Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG model has a 6.3-liter V-8 that generates 571 hp, with a top speed of about 198 mph, for the European version. U.S. specifications will be announced later, but should be nearly the same. Zero to 62 mph (i.e. 100 kilometers per hour) is 3.8 seconds.

The battery powered version has four electric motors and goes from zero to 62 mpg in about four seconds, Zetsche said.